Gene Expression Profiling Regulated by lncRNA H19 Using Bioinformatic Analyses in Glioma Cell Lines.

Background/aim: Glioma, the most common type of primary brain tumor, is characterized by high malignancy, recurrence, and mortality. Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) H19 is a potential biomarker for glioma diagnosis and treatment due to its overexpression in human glioma tissues and its involvement in cell division and metastasis regulation. This study aimed to identify potential therapeutic targets involved in glioma development by analyzing gene expression profiles regulated by H19.

Materials and methods: To elucidate the role of H19 in A172 and U87MG glioma cell lines, cell counting, colony formation, and wound healing assays were conducted. RNA-seq data analysis and bioinformatics analyses were performed to reveal the molecular interactions of H19.

Results: Cell-based experiments showed that elevated H19 levels were related to cancer cell survival, proliferation, and migration. Bioinformatics analyses identified 2,084 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) influenced by H19 which are involved in cancer progression. Specifically, ANXA5, CLEC18B, RAB42, CXCL8, OASL, USP18, and CDCP1 were positively correlated with H19 expression, while CSDC2 and FOXO4 were negatively correlated. These DEGs were predicted to function as oncogenes or tumor suppressors in gliomas, in association with H19.

Conclusion: These findings highlight H19 and its associated genes as potential diagnostic and therapeutic targets for gliomas, emphasizing their clinical significance in patient survival.